The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
From Gov. James "Pa" Ferguson's impeachment to the Sharpstown scandal, Texas has weathered mighty ethics controversies. Despite reforms, the Legislature still faces criticism over lax disclosure rules and ties with lobbyists. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Bidness-Ethics-History.jpg)
The families of terminally ill patients would receive more time to find a willing medical provider for their relative and get more help through difficult end-of-life legal processes under a bill filed by state Sen. Robert Deuell. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Old-Hands-Held-by-Young-Ones.jpg)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about how the school finance litigation affects the debate over public education funding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLiveWill087TT.jpg)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, discussed what the state should do about its exploding Medicaid obligations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLiveWill098TT.jpg)
Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/StatePark-3.jpg)
Ongoing school finance litigation will likely prevent the Legislature from discussing education funding issues this session, two Republican budget leaders said at a TribLive event Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c5c411ba8ed65ca27885b282b889b505/TT%20Event%20Will%2098%202013)
At Thursday morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about the possibility of withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLiveWill090TTCMS.jpg)
House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the Legislature's lower chamber on Thursday, ending speculation over key chairmanships and giving lawmakers the go-ahead to start considering bills. Here's his list. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ccf9f66e49f5a7354f7b715b9313dccb/BD%20INC%20House%2001%202011)
As lawmakers look for a way to fix infrastructure crumbling under the weight of a drilling boom, talk of reducing the tax money that feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund is drawing attention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/NaturalGas-RoadDamage.jpg)
Texas budget writers got a briefing on the state’s health care programs Wednesday, and the biggest questions focused on how the state can reduce fraud and what to do about ever-increasing health care costs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Stetho-Around-Texas.jpg)
Lawmakers are still in the “fixin’ to” stage of the session taking a week off after a week on the job — not unusual in the years when presidents are being inaugurated — but the wheels are turning. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/EmptySeats-Capitol.jpg)
Texas prisons are running low on hygiene products that are not considered necessities for inmates, including toothpaste and deodorant. Family members and inmates are frustrated as state officials try to find a contractor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PrisonDeodorant-OutOfStock3.jpg)
The members of the Texas Senate have been placed in their committees, but where in the state do the committee members come from? Use this interactive to explore the geographic distribution of committee members in the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CommitteesDataApp-Senate.jpg)
At a briefing Tuesday, lawmakers and relatives of people killed while texting and driving renewed a push to make the practice illegal. A proposal passed during the last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-TextDriveHearing001.JPG)
This Storify presentation reveals the instant reactions on social media by legislators, staffers, guests and journalists to Gov. Rick Perry's State of the State address. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3e3488e770abfbcf81b5975e45cf0cf1/BD%20INC%20State%20of%20the%20State%20471%202013)
Texas Democratic legislators respond to Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address on Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Watson1.jpg)
Full video of Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/SOTS1.jpg)
In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f3f7e918cdeea00e8a4425a730549ab2/BD%20INC%20State%20of%20the%20State%20Perry%202013)
Gov. Rick Perry delivers his seventh State of the State address today, telling the 83rd Legislature — and the rest of us — what's on his mind and what he hopes state lawmakers will accomplish before the end of the regular session. Watch live starting at 11 a.m. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Perry-StateofState-1.jpg)
For the seventh time since he became governor in 2000, Gov. Rick Perry will appear before a joint session of the Texas Senate and House on Tuesday to deliver his biennial State of the State speech. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA8598.jpg)